Table 4 in The xerophilic genera Xerobiotus and Pseudohexapodibius (Macrobiotidae; Tardigrada): biodiversity, biogeography and phylogeny

Table 4. Comparisons of the morphological characters present in the Xerobiotus species considered in this study. Unless specified otherwise, all the structures considered are visible with light microscopy (Xerobiotus pseudohufelandi was not included owing to unclear morphology). SpeciesLegs I–IIILegs IVFurbelow-like structureKaryotypeReproductionEgg surface andClawThickeningsClawLunulesCuticularMicrodigitationsprocessesthickeningX. arenosumThin base, acutePresent (as plate;ProximalAbsentPresent, ringConicalTetraploid,ParthenogeneticProcesses with smallangle betweenvisible withconstric-shaped with24 chromo-and convex ter-branchesSEM)tionirregular mar-somes (4 n)minal disc withgins (with airregular taperedlarge plate;indentationvisible withSurface with denselySEM)distributed poresX. euxinusSmall, acutePresent, withSmallPresent withPresent, ringConicalDiploid,BisexualProcesses with smallangle betweensemilunarindentedshaped with6 chromosomesterminal disc withbranchesshape (asmargins;irregular mar-(2 n)regular indentationplates; visiblenot clearlyginsSurface with denselywith SEM), notvisible indistributed poresalways visibletype ma-terialX. gretaeThick base,AbsentCommonPresent?PresentConicalProcesses with smalltriangulartract longerand concave ter-commonthan mainminal disc withtract, rightbranch.regular taperedangle betweenBasal partindentationbranches.with en-Surface wrinkled andBasal part withlargementscaưered with dot-enlargementlike poresX. inermisSmallAbsentSmallPresentSmall and concaveterminal discSurface with denselydistributed poresX. litusThick base,AbsentEnlargedAbsentPresent, ringConicalBisexualProcesses with largetriangularproximalshaped withand convex ter-commonportionirregularminal disc withtract, rightmarginsregular indentationangle betweenSurface with denselybranchesdistributed pores